American Heart (1992)

An ex-convict is tracked down by his estranged teenage son, and the pair try to build a relationship and life together in Seattle.

Director:

Martin Bell

Writers:

Peter Silverman (story), Martin Bell (story)

Stars:

Jeff Bridges, Edward Furlong, John Boylan

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Boylan	...	Janitor
Jeff Bridges	...	Jack Kelson
Edward Furlong	...	Nick Kelson
Greg Sevigny	...	Young Jack
Jayne Entwistle	...	Monique
Willie Williams	...	The Gospel Fireballs
Roosevelt Franklin	...	The Gospel Fireballs
Melvyn Hayward	...	Normandy
Don Harvey	...	Rainey
Kit McDonough	...	Landlady
Wren Walker	...	Lisa
Cristine McMurdo-Wallis	...	School Administrator
Lucinda Jenney	...	Charlotte
Charlotte London	...	Flo
Loyd Catlett	...	Vernon the Bartender

Storyline

After leaving jail, Jack Kelson wants to live a normal life. He rents a small flat, moves in with his son Nick and tries to get a steady job. But then a former friend steps into his life again.

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Plot Keywords:

pot smoking | homeless child | ex convict | middle school | school | 

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Taglines:

Jack's only hope was a dream... Nick's only hope was Jack.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and sexual situations

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 May 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

American Heart - Die zweite Chance

Filming Locations:

Seattle, Washington, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,549, 9 May 1993, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$384,048

Company Credits

Production Co:

Avenue Pictures, World Films, Asis Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Black and White (some footage) Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The character of "Freddie" was based on a real life street kid, named Lulu. Lulu was featured in the documentary Streetwise, and just like Freddie, she stood up for other street kids. Lulu was stabbed to death after Streetwise filmed, her funeral was covered by CNN and over 200 people attended.

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Goofs

Near the end of the movie, the ferry is leaving Seattle (towards Bainbridge Island or Bremerton). However a few seconds later we see the boat wake with the Olympic Mountains in the distance indicating the boat is headed towards Seattle, not away from it.

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Quotes

Jack Kelson: I- I can explain this, Normandy. What, do you think I am, a pervert?
Normandy: Dating 16-year old's is one thing, but she's 12 and a day!
Molly: I'm 15!
Normandy: 15 will get him 20! Stay put.
Jack Kelson: Normandy, I- I wasn't in the rack with her and I never even seen her before.
Normandy: What'd you do? Black out, Jack?
Jack Kelson: It-it, see, it's my kid.
Normandy: I thought you had a son? Turn around, Jack.
Jack Kelson: Normandy, please.
Normandy: Get em' up.
[...]

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Connections

Version of Streetwise (1984)

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Soundtracks

Jack's Flashback Theme
and "Additional Music"
Composed by Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan
Produced and performed by Tom Waits
Jalma Music Inc (ASCAP)
Tom Waits performs courtsey of Island Records, Inc.

User Reviews

Good performances; intelligent story.

This movie features another great performance from Jeff Bridges, as a convicted felon whose son wants to have a relationship with him. It's a rare cinematic look at the strained father-teenage son relationship. Edward Furlong is sympathetic as Bridges' persistent son. The ending bothered me a bit - almost too anti-Hollywood, but this film is not driven by plot. The characters are the meat of this story. Makes a worthwhile rental.